Libraries of all sizes must be prepared to deliver services that reflect the changing needs of communities. They maintain critical relevancy by conducting regular and effective community needs assessments. Review examples of frameworks and tools needed to begin a new community needs assessment. Form an actionable plan to align with the library’s mission and vision and secure the library’s role as a vital organization in the community.

Interested in Genealogy? Do you know where to start? Which resources to use? How to keep track of it all? This course will demonstrate a step-by-step beginning research strategy by tracking down a specific ancestor and gathering their information and leads to other relatives. Learn to use a research journal, ancestor information sheets, and decipher database results. We'll use Ancestry Library Edition and Family Search to build our ancestor from scratch.

As libraries are moving services online, there is a renewed emphasis on chat and online reference services. How is chat reference different from traditional in-person reference? This course will provide techniques and best practices to provide effective chat reference services. We will learn how to conduct a thorough online reference interview and explore tools and apps for the virtual reference desk.

Soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills, play a critical role in virtual and in-person library services. Explore new ways to support staff’s development in these areas by understanding soft skills, developing personal improvement goals and implementing training plans.

Cemetery searching may initially sound morbid, but the results can breathe new life into your local history and genealogy work. Cemetery records and headstones contain a wealth of information about ancestors and a location's most prominent citizens. Dig into the types of information found when researching cemeteries, how to locate burial records, and best practices for cemetery research.

Calling all bibliophiles! Come one, come all and put that lost spark back into your book discussion group this summer and fall. Let's discover and share proven tips and tricks to cultivate and revitalize an existing book group or launch a brand new one. Learn how to boost attendance in your face-to-face groups and explore the possibilities for building online groups.

Where do we come from? Researching our family history is becoming more popular with subscription services such as Ancestry.com and 23andMe ancestry kits. But what if we don’t want to spend a fortune answering this question? How can we find our ancestors without costly subscriptions? How can I confirm that my ancestors were from (insert country) or that the stories my great aunt tells are true? Knowing about free genealogy resources, both digital and physical, is one way to get started researching your genealogy.

Limited library budgets can lead many organizations to seek grants to help fund special initiatives, projects, or services. Writing a grant proposal can be a daunting task, tracking all the required forms and documents, in addition to finding a funding source. Grasp the fundamentals of a strong grant proposal, the typical grant review process, and how to ease into the world of grants by locating sources for funding.

This introduction to the key concepts and tools in reference and information services helps library staff become comfortable in the application of core reference principles and the use of print and electronic resources. Learners are exposed to real-world reference issues related to resource selection, user privacy, and confidentiality.

Having a knowledge of your library's reference collection is central to helping your patrons with the answers they seek. This course will familiarize both librarians and paraprofessionals with an understanding of evaluating, acquiring, and using print and online reference sources.